The Irish Times

Connacht face tough challenge in looking to complete South African clean sweep

Andy Friend’s side take on a strong Sharks side in Durban on Saturday

Fri Apr 29 2022 - 15:02

James Cronin set to join Leicester Tigers after one season with Biarritz

The former Munster prop played 144 times for that team over the course of his eight seasons there, and won three caps for Ireland

Wed Apr 27 2022 - 21:55

URC preview: Seven changes to Connacht team to face Lions in South Africa

Connacht’s leading try scorer in the competition Mack Hansen swaps wing for fullback

Fri Apr 22 2022 - 14:58

Four-try Lowe to the fore as Leinster swat aside Connacht in second leg rout

Likely quarter-final date with Leicester booked in the diary after Aviva hammering

Fri Apr 15 2022 - 19:49

Leinster boosted by key returns as they look to make good on their advantage

Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher back in frontrow for Aviva Stadium second leg

Fri Apr 15 2022 - 06:00

Three changes to Leinster team to face Connacht in Champions Cup

Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher make starting XV

Thu Apr 14 2022 - 12:19

Connacht have almost full squad to call on for Leinster first leg

Andy Friend: ‘There is a good buzz but at the same time it’s not a giddy buzz’

Tue Apr 05 2022 - 15:54

Friend calls for Connacht response after ‘embarrassing’ defeats

Hansen and Bealham back for province ahead of URC trip to face Benetton

Wed Mar 30 2022 - 06:00

Connacht aim to set the right tone for opening game of series against Leinster

Andy Friend’s side are coming off the back of 56-8 defeat for sold-out Sportsground clash

Sat Mar 26 2022 - 08:30

Wilkins believes next stage for Connacht is to impose themselves

Senior coach believes change of mindset can help close out tight games in future

Wed Jan 26 2022 - 09:01

Connacht looking to add to historic Champions Cup progress with win in Paris

Toulouse’s Covid forfeit against Cardiff puts Andy Friend’s side into last 16 ahead of Stade game

Fri Jan 21 2022 - 17:28

Mack Hansen’s European debut with Connacht will have to wait

Exciting winger suffers calf injury in training but could return against Stade Francais

Tue Jan 11 2022 - 17:01

‘On or off the pitch I don’t know what my future holds’

Me & My Money: Denis Buckley, Connacht Rugby

Mon Nov 29 2021 - 00:00

Ulster game will be a defining one for Connacht’s season

Andy Friend knows his squad face battle to close points gap with three rival provinces

Wed Oct 20 2021 - 06:00

Andy Friend still waiting on an explanation from URC and referees

Connacht head coach: ‘It’s not witch-hunting, it’s just trying to get clarity on what are the standards’

Tue Oct 19 2021 - 14:11

Caolin Blade returns as Connacht brace for Bulls battle

South African side arrive in Galway smarting from their thrashing at the hands of Leinster

Tue Sept 28 2021 - 16:38

Connacht face tough opener against Cardiff side packed with internationals

Andy Friend wants his side to be adaptable against sides with more firepower

Thu Sept 23 2021 - 16:54

Connacht Rugby season preview: Good start essential if Friend’s men are to reach their goal

Upheaval and season format against them but Connacht will aim to defy the odds again

Thu Sept 23 2021 - 06:00

Ulster running out of time after Nakarawa deal falls through

Province pull out of deal for 33-year-old; Irish squad named for Under-20 Six Nations

Fri Jun 11 2021 - 06:00

Connacht chasing James Cronin after Munster released him

Province’s need to sign is acute given Denis Buckley’s unfortunate ACL injury

Thu Jun 10 2021 - 11:26

Benetton claim Connacht’s scalp to maintain their recent momentum

Error-strewn display from Friend’s side who had replacement Papali’i sent off

Sun May 30 2021 - 14:49

Connacht name strong side for key Benetton clash in Treviso

Bundee Aki returns to midfield after four-match ban for England sending off

Fri May 28 2021 - 16:46

Connacht’s Denis Buckley braced for Benetton test as he joins 200-game club

Loosehead prop becomes only the third Connacht player to hit milestone

Wed May 26 2021 - 06:00

Connacht target rare win across the water to secure European quarter-final spot

Andy Friend optimistic his province can produce third win against a Premiership side

Sat Apr 03 2021 - 01:00

Connacht mix things up for visit of Edinburgh

Cian Prendergast and centre Sean O’Brien are both handed their first starts

Fri Mar 12 2021 - 12:43

The interpros give players a chance to prove the coaches wrong

For Munster to match expectations, the generational shift may need to be accelerated

Fri Mar 05 2021 - 06:00

Connacht’s fire burns bright in the ice as they end Leinster’s 26-match streak

Jack Carty notches 25 points as men from the West deliver stirring performance in Dublin

Sat Jan 02 2021 - 22:29

Connacht use visit of Benetton to give as many players as possible match time

Italians travel to Galway without the 10 internationals named in Franco Smith’s Azzurri team to face Wales

Thu Dec 03 2020 - 20:51

Andy Friend to pick a fresh Connacht XV for Sunday’s Munster clash

Quinn Roux to return as head coach sticks to his plan by giving every player a chance

Wed Aug 26 2020 - 07:00

Ian Madigan in line for Ulster debut as Aki reaches milestone

New Ulster signing to start among the replacements along with Alby Mathewson

Fri Aug 21 2020 - 14:05

Irish internationals return as Connacht face Southern Kings

Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan both in the squad for Sunday’s Pro14 encounter

Fri Feb 28 2020 - 13:06

Connacht face daunting task against Edinburgh

Andy Friend’s side will seek at Murrayfield to follow up a superb win against Cardiff

Fri Feb 21 2020 - 06:00

Connacht make four changes to their pack for Edinburgh clash

Injuries force head coach Andy Friend to make changes for trip to Murrayfield

Thu Feb 20 2020 - 12:46

Andy Friend believes Connacht have turned a corner after Cardiff shutout

Bonus-point victory over Welsh side keeps side in playoff picture after poor run

Mon Feb 17 2020 - 06:00